🎭 Cleveland’s Cultural Gem in Jeopardy

Good morning, Cleveland! This is The 216 Scoop: A little Venezuelan heat is spicing up Parma’s food scene 🇻🇪🔥🍽️

Don’t keep us a secret: Share the email with friends (copy URL here)​

Cleveland State University and Ideastream Public Media speak loudly about serving the community, especially during fundraising drives.

Their collusion to kill WCSB 89.3 FM, however, has created a backlash in the community -- one that comes with calls for boycotts and accusations that their sole service is to themselves.

For half a century, the student-run college station was central to the music and arts scene. It was eclectic and had personality, because it had DJs that were passionate about the music they played and had an up-close grasp of where it fit into the Cleveland scene.

It’s no surprise that so many acts that broke into the mainstream were played on WCSB first. It was acclaimed as one of the best public radio stations in the country.

Ideastream acquired the right to manage and program WCSB – under undisclosed terms.

What has been disclosed is Ideastream’s new broadcasting format for WCSB: JazzNEO. It lacks passion or creativity and appeals to a narrow demographic — a format we’ve heard for decades on WCPN.

It underscores a lack of innovation. Like most PPS/NPR affiliates, Ideastream has long branded itself as an alternative to the corporate mainstream.

Except that the media landscape has fragmented considerably and now it’s Ideastream – and by extension, CSU -- that look like dinosaurs from a long-gone century.

Both praised the takeover as an opportunity to provide students a “wide selection of internships in journalism, television and radio production.”

What year is this? Where are these jobs?

To the students running WCSB, it was about passion, not a career. DJs were volunteers; the executive staff received school stipends – a pittance for the time they put in.

On the other hand, CSU President Laura Bloomberg who made the move to kill WCSB, earned a base salary for 2024-2025 of $464,100. She received a 3% raise and 25% performance bonus for a of “significant accomplishments” – even as she cut programs to offset losses.

A 2023 tax return filed by Ideastream indicated that president and CEO Kevin E. Martin earned $468,013 from the entity and another $104,635 from related entities.

The former executive staff of WCSB will conduct a silent protest on the CSU campus quad at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Will it matter, even amid public support? Yes, polls show that trust in media and academia have plummeted — but will those sitting in their isolated silos even care?

Parma and Parma Heights are low-key becoming the area’s most worldly foodie destinations. In the last year, the area has added to its European and Asian portfolio with new Japanese, Indian and Georgian eateries.

Then there’s Quintaesencia Tapas & Bar – truly a delightful trip around the world.

Owners Karen Torrado and Katherine Nuñez are from San Cristobal, Venezuela. They didn’t meet there, however – which explains the adventurous menu.

“We met while traveling in Dublin and became friends right away,” says Torrado. “Katherine is a great cook and always wanted to start a restaurant.”

Not so fast.

They moved to the U.S. 12 years ago, to clean houses in Columbus. Then they started a flooring company.

“Then we moved to Cleveland and saw this place while driving through Parma,” says Torrado.

Then came Quintaesencia, after six months of construction they did themselves.

It mixes Venezuelan dishes like cachapa con queso (cornbread and cheese) with personal takes on South American and Spanish cuisine – from seafood, meat and vegetarian dishes to tapas and desserts like papas bravas, patacon and crema catalana.

The fusion approach extends to the cocktails. The live entertainment, meanwhile, mixes flamenco with Latin songs and classic songbooks. Free-spirited and fun all the way around.

Seventy-four films, 32 countries, a red carpet, visiting filmmakers and cinephiles rushing from theater to theater.

But Chagrin Documentary Film Festival is also a story about community and heart and could be the subject of a charming movie.

Since 2010, it has transformed Chagrin Falls into a magnet for film fans near and wide – and has grown from a few hundred when it debuted to 10,000 last year.

CDFF also brings townspeople together to organize and manage the event, which exhibits films in 10 makeshift theaters around town.

The 16^th installment opens with “John Candy: I Like Me,” a film by Colin Hanks that premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Founder Mary Ann Ponce, it was inspired by her son David – a filmmaker who was shooting a documentary about children suffering from HIV/AIDS in in South Africa.

He was diagnosed with leukemia and died before he could finish it. Ponce kept his passion alive with the fest – and the townspeople joined her. Info.

No time to be bummed about the Guardians or the Browns. The Cavs open their pre-season against the Chicago Bulls at Rocket Arena. 7 p.m. Tuesday. Info.

French duo helped define the sound of electronic music with its 1998 breakthrough “Moon Safari.” At 8 tonight, it hits MGM Northfield Park Center Stage to perform the album in its entirety. Info.

👉 View Listing on Zillow

A loss is a loss but set aside the Browns’ defeat to the Vikings in London, 21-17. Rookie Dillion Gabriel was poised and was praised for his debut – and it underscores a future that’s brighter than a 1-4 record. He’s the seventh rookie in a superb 2025 draft class:

Quinshon Judkins: Leads all rookies in rushing. Best Browns back since Nick Chubb.

Mason Graham: The best pass rush win rate of defensive tackles in the league.

Harold Fannon: Leads team is receptions and always seems to be open.

Dylan Sampson: Flashed potential catching passes out of the backfield.

Carson Schwesinger: Already being called one of the best linebackers in the NFL.

Adin Huntington: Always hustles – on special teams, offence and defense.

Winners of a 1960 Halloween costume contest at Parmatown Mall in Parma.

Ooh and don’t forget! Tag @The216Scoop on Facebook & @scoopcle on Instagram to get your photos in the Scoop!

66 °F 🌡️ 52 °F | ⛅ | 35% | 💨 W ≈ 12 mph (≈ 10 knots)

64 °F 🌡️ 50 °F | 🌧️ | 45% | 💨 SW ≈ 13 mph (≈ 11 knots)

62 °F 🌡️ 48 °F | ☁️ | 40% | 💨 NW ≈ 10 mph (≈ 9 knots)

_{Please note that weather conditions can change rapidly. For the most up-to-date information, consider checking a reliable local weather service.}

Home vs. Bulls, 7 PM October 7 (Tuesday)

Away vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 1 PM October 12 (Sunday)

Thanks for reading The 216 Scoop today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who swears by Cleveland’s park system for outdoor activities.

Watch this quick video (start at 0:50) to see how easy it is to add our app to your home screen!